Fence



(No Model.)

M. MAXAM.

FENCE. No. 393,168. Patented Novi 20, 1888 l UNITED STATES MELVIN MAXAM, OF BELOIT, OHIO.

FENCE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent 1\To393,168, dated November 20, 1888.

Application filed August 13, 1888.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, MELVIN MAXAM, a citizen of the United States, residing at Beloit, in the county of Mahoning and State of Ohio, haveinventcd certain new and useful Improvements in Fences; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in fences of that class in which the rails are supported and secured in position by wires; and it has for its object to improve upon previous constructions of this character, and to construct a fence with less parts and with much less trouble in securing the said parts together.

rI`he novelty resides in the peculiar combinations and the construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, all as more fully hereinafter described, shown in the drawings, and then particularly pointed outin the appended claim. 'Ihe invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawings, which, with the letters of reference marked thereon, form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a perspective view of a portion of 'a fence constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the line x a: of Fig. l, looking in the direct-ion ofthe arrow in said figure. Y

Referring now to tle details of the drawings by letter, A designates the stakes which cross each other near the top, as shown, and at their junction they are secured together by means of the wire loop a. The lower ends of these stakes are connected together and braced by means of the wire b, the ends of which are secured, one to each stake, and between the ends of the wire is formed aloop, c, which closely embraces the lapped ends ofthe lower rails of two adjacent sections.

rIhe top rails are secured as foll-ows: d is a wire, one end of which is passed through the loop a, then back of the crossed ends of the 'adjacent stakes and around the overlapped one of the overlapped bottom rails at the next Serial No. 282,674. (No model.)

stakes after first passing through the loop c of the Wire b, which embraces the said lower rails. By this arrangement the strain on the wire d tends to more firmly bind the parts in their positions, and the liability of the same to become displaced or moved endwise is avoided. This diagonal wire d may be used on every section or on every alternate one, as preferred; but on hilly and uneven ground it will be found best to employ it at every section.

The rails intervening between the top and bottom rails are secured together and to the top and bottom rails by the wire e, which passes around each rail, and between each rail is twisted, as shown.

A fence constructed as above described will be found to be very strong and durable, and can be easily and quickly put up or taken down. Ihe connection of the diagonal wire d and movement of the parts, either lateral or in the line of the fence, only tends tol make the parts more secure.

I am aware that diagonal braces, both of Wood and wire, have long been used in fences, and do not seek to claim such construction broadly. I attach special importance to my peculiar manner of connecting the diagonal wire to the top rails and to the stakes, whereby the stakes andthe top rails are firmly held together and displacement of the same avoided. Any lateral movement or movement in the line of the fence only tends to more firmly draw the parts together, and the binding-wire a also serves to hold the parts close together.

The fence described,consisting of the crossed stakes and the loop embracing the same at their junction, the crosswire securing the lower ends of said stakes, the said wire being formed with a loop embracing the overlapped ends of the bottom rails, and the diagonal brace-wire, secured at one end to the loop of said bottom cross-wire,and its other end passed through the upper loop and to the rear of the crossed ends ot' the stakes and secured to the overlapped ends of' the top rails, substantially as shown and described, and for the purpose specified.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

MELVIN MAXAM.

Witnesses:

MARY O. READ, J ANET A. READ.

IOO 

